The preseason can feel long and even somewhat boring for players and coaches. I’ve seen it firsthand, everyone is ready for it to end around mid-August. But it’s one of the busiest and most important times in the NFL for the front office. It’s the last part of the calendar year to add new players. Obviously, it’s nothing like free agency or the draft; however, if done correctly, it’s possible to add significant depth to your team.

Rosters currently have 90 players, yet only 53 end up making each team. That means 1,184 players, give or take a few depending on injuries, will be available over the next month. The final cut date is Sept. 1, which is easily the longest waiver wire in the NFL each season. Both Bay Area teams also benefit from their poor records last season, meaning the 49ers will still be picking ninth and the Raiders 10th, respectively, in the claiming order. That also carries into the first four weeks of the season, until the order...